Police arrest 2 suspects for Elks Lodge break-in

Unspecified amount of cash, booze stolen; building damaged

A break-in at the Price Elks Lodge last week has led Price City police to arrest two men in connection with the theft of an undisclosed amount of money and alcohol.

Evidence and questioning of suspects led Price police to arrest John Parry, 27, and Christopher Robert Southards, 31, both of Price, according to Captain Bill Barnes.

Barnes said the break-in occurred in the early morning hours of May 31 as evidence showed the suspects used force to break into an outside door as well as other rooms inside of the building.

An undisclosed amount of money and alcohol was stolen from the Elks Lodge before the suspects left. Representatives with the Price Elks Lodge reached by phone on Wednesday morning could not confirm the exact amount of money and alcohol stolen and declined to comment on the situation.

While police were investigating the break-in, Barnes said police were called out to the National 9 Inn on a different manner. When police arrived they noticed suspicious materials including alcohol bottles that matched the description of those reported stolen from the Elks Lodge. Police officers questioned the suspects present at the motel which later led to the arrest of Parry on June 2 and Southards on June 3, Barnes said. Both men were found with an undisclosed amount of money and materials used during the break-in, he added.

"This was an extremely lucky occurance with everything coming together to make the arrests," he explained.

Price City police officers, investigators and the Carbon County Sheriff's Department worked together throughout the early part of the investigation, Barnes said.

The two men face a number of charges which include burgulary, criminal mischief and possession of stolen property. Barnes said the men could also face charges for being in possession of burgulary tools.

The break-in is still under investigation as police are hoping to recover the rest of the stolen property and question others who may have been involved, Barnes said.